Many cleaners and disinfectants contain harmful substances that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, with some even having long-term health implications.
Products certified by third-party ecolabels can help reduce harmful chemicals in your home while often costing less than traditional alternatives.
All-Purpose Cleaners
All-purpose cleaner is a general term referring to any solution designed for general surface cleaning without damaging them. All-purpose cleaners usually come in liquid spray form but may also come as wipes or paste forms; their composition could range from natural ingredients or chemical components; some even act as disinfectants against bacteria while others simply clean surfaces – the decision ultimately rests with you and what surfaces exist within your home.
Natural all-purpose cleaners should feature a nontoxic plant-based formula, suitable for children and animals alike. Furthermore, these products should be free from dyes, preservatives and fragrances; some may even be safe enough to use with bare hands! While these all-purpose cleaners may be used on most surfaces without incident, be sure to adhere to any instructions on the label; some cleaners require you to let them sit before wiping clean whereas acid or bleach-containing all-purpose cleaners can potentially damage certain materials – avoid all-purpose cleaners that contain acid or bleach as these contain damaging materials that could damage certain materials over time!
One alternative is Seventh Generation’s Concentrated All-Purpose Cleaner. This multi-surface cleaner easily cuts through grime and grease while leaving behind a streak-free shine on countertops, sinks, tubs and toilets – providing the ideal combination of sanitation and deodorizing capabilities! Tested against COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Bronner’s All-Purpose Sal Suds Cleaner offers an all-natural option with non-toxic ingredients to address all your cleaning needs, from laundry to mopping floors – it is safe for many surfaces such as wood and tile, biodegradable and comes in different earthy scents for an excellent experience!
Branch Basics’ Force of Nature starter kit is another fantastic eco-friendly cleaning option. This convenient cleaning set comes equipped with labeled bottles of their all-purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaner and glass/mirror cleaner – offering reduced plastic bottle waste while still giving the flexibility of changing out concentrate or tablet refills to meet individual cleaning needs.
Disinfectants
A disinfectant is any liquid, spray or wipe used on surfaces to eliminate germs. For maximum effectiveness, they should remain on the surface for an allotted amount of time – although beware that using them incorrectly could damage surfaces as well.
Disinfectants must be labeled to indicate which microorganisms they’re effective against and any surfaces it shouldn’t be used on (such as wood, fabric or plastic). They may also include instructions for use and safety warnings as well as an expiration date.
Rhea Mehta, a molecular toxicologist, advises choosing disinfectants free from 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, ammonium chlorides, chlorine sodium hypochlorite and VOCs that could potentially pose risks to both environment and human health when they evaporate into the atmosphere. She notes that many of these chemicals have been identified as carcinogens or endocrine disruptors while others cause eye and skin irritation, asthma symptoms or allergic reactions in certain individuals.
Vinegar is an effective nontoxic disinfectant that can clean all areas of a house, from bathrooms and kitchens to furniture and floors. Vinegar can tackle grease, mildew and other forms of filth. Its powerful cleaning properties remove odors while cutting through wax buildup or cutting through soap scum buildup; vinegar also kills germs but not as effectively as hospital grade disinfectants such as ethyl or isopropyl alcohol disinfectants do.
Other safe alternatives to consider include nontoxic scrubbing powders and brushes made of natural materials that use nontoxic scrubbing agents to effectively scrub dirt, grime and stains away. LeBow swears by Bar Keepers Friend as an exceptional stainless steel and hard surface cleaner; another favorite of hers is Bioesque which smells great and does the trick effectively.
If you require more specialized cleaning, choose products with both all-purpose and disinfectant properties. When searching for these cleaners, look for third-party ecolabels like Green Seal, EcoLogo, SF Approved or Made Safe that have been evaluated for safety by third parties such as Green Seal or EcoLogo or Made Safe certification to help identify cleaners vetted by independent third parties as safe for surfaces they’re intended for – also consult the EWG Healthy Cleaning Guide which ranks products based on toxic ingredients and environmental impact ratings for help when making selections.
Laundry Detergents
There are many safe laundry detergents on the market that do an effective job of cleaning. It is important to select nontoxic and eco-friendly ones in order to reduce household chemical waste – an issue not only harmful for the environment but also poses serious health risks to families with chronic respiratory illness such as asthma or bronchitis.
Nearly all laundry detergents contain surfactants, which are chemicals used to loosen dirt and stain particles from fabrics using water as the medium. Other components may include enzymes, bleaches and fabric softeners; most commercial products also feature dyes and fragrances to enhance aesthetics and aroma; however there are laundry soaps without these elements on the market as well.
Before selecting a laundry detergent for your family’s clothing needs, it is essential that you assess their clothing needs carefully. Take note of what kinds of soils and stains your garments encounter; light soiled garments with few or no stains require only mild liquid detergent and stain remover; for heavy soils such as sweat and body odor that require stronger products may require stronger solutions.
Consideration should also be given to whether you desire liquid, powder or single-dose containers when selecting laundry detergent. GHI’s tests show that powders outperform liquids and gels when it comes to stain removal. Furthermore, many concentrated formulas now come packaged less expensively allowing you to save money through reduced packaging waste compared to larger detergents that may lead to overuse.
Finally, it’s essential to think about how much your purchases affect the environment. Look for products with third party certification such as Green Seal, EcoLogo or Safer Choice certification as these will have minimal environmental impact. Also visit EWG’s website and compare current products with safer alternatives available there.
Blueland is a well-known nontoxic household cleaning brand offering nontoxic household cleaners in glass or plastic bottles with refill options, including lavender, bergamot and peppermint scents. Their bundle deals offer great savings as well as carbon neutral shipping services.
Floor Cleaners
Floor cleaners help keep the surfaces of your home free of dirt and debris, essential to eliminating germs and bacteria growth. A high-quality cleaner should match up well with your flooring type while providing effective cleaning while reducing harsh chemicals or toxic fumes that might otherwise linger on its surfaces.
Homeowners with pets need to consider selecting a floor cleaner designed specifically for them when selecting their cleaning supplies, to protect both themselves and their four-legged family members from potential dangers caused by chemical cleaners. Pets may develop contact dermatitis or other adverse health reactions from being exposed to conventional cleaners with isopropyl alcohol that could potentially cause skin or eye irritation as well as gastrointestinal pain and nausea if exposed. To protect their wellbeing, opt for something with low pH level formulation without isopropyl alcohol content such as. To find safe options that do not contain isopropyl alcohol!
Consider when searching for a safe floor cleaner if it will fit with your preferred mopping system. Many of the top choices can work with both traditional microfiber mop and reusable spray bottle models, while some also support steam mopping which provides an efficient alternative to Swiffer pads while also eliminating water waste.
Important factors when selecting a safe floor cleaner include its ingredients and odor. Natural options often come with light fragrance, while others contain unscented or natural scented ingredients which won’t irritate sensitive lungs. Some cleansers also feature sustainable ingredients which have less of an environmental impact; look out for one certified with the EPA Safer Choice program as this may indicate its safety and sustainability.
If you need help selecting the appropriate option for your household, an effective starting point would be using an EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning database as a starting point. Here you will find products tested and reviewed by experts and searchable based on a number of parameters such as allergies or sustainability concerns.
